The 2021 BBKA Spring Convention, 16-18 April, is a great ‘Virtual’ event to look forward to. I hope your Association will encourage its members to put the dates in their diaries and be ready to book once the website opens in early April. To help with this, we attach adverts in different sizes and formats that you can choose to circulate or include in any local newsletter.
The bonus of being virtual is that the Convention will come to you, wherever you are, via your choice of device: computer, tablet or smartphone. Despite all the challenges, we will as usual offer a mix of practical and scientific lectures and presentations, on the topics most requested, directed at a range of beekeeping experience, presented by the very best of speakers.
The electronic Convention programme will be available on the BBKA website from early March, with full details of speakers and their talks. Entry to the Virtual Tradeshow (AKA The Marketplace) will be free and this will be everyone’s opportunity to browse the latest beekeeping kit from multiple suppliers, all under one ‘virtual’ roof and to take advantage of special Convention offers!
Area Associations Area
Additionally, we are seeking expressions of interest from BBKA Area Associations wishing to have a free ‘stand’ in an ‘Associations Area’ of the Convention website. This would enable you to provide contact details, a weblink, a brief text overview and up to four photographs of Association activities.
Optional video upload for a small additional charge (£80 + VAT per video) will also be possible. Our latest research has revealed significant numbers of new recruits to beekeeping during lockdown, keen to take part in the Convention. The Association Area will be an opportunity to demonstrate the benefits of Association membership – and to share ideas. There will also be a prize for the ‘best’ still photograph uploaded in this area. If your Association is interested, please contact Ray Green, conventionstewards@gmail.com for further details, by 19th February.
Buzzing Quizzers
It is intended to have a light-hearted team quiz at the Convention. Ideally this will be between Association ‘teams’. Julian Routh julian.routh@bbka.org.uk would be pleased to hear from budding (or buzzing) quiz ‘teams’ of three members from Associations. The intention is to hold preliminary virtual heats to identify two teams with the best combination of general and beekeeping knowledge.
Places will by necessity be limited, so if you would like to take part, please contact Julian ASAP – and certainly by 19th February. The members of the Convention Committee look forward to welcoming you to this year’s Convention, with something for all! For more information, programme updates and participation details, please see BBKA News and the Spring Convention pages of http://www.bbka.org.uk
Joyce Nisbet, BBKA
Trustee and Spring
Convention Chair